Well-sinking apparatus.



M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPABATUS.

APYLIUATION Hmm snPT. za, 1908.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W l W M. T. CHAPMAN.

WBLL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLmATIoN I'ILBD 8312128, 1906.

Patented D60. 21, 1909.

a sHEETs-SHBET z.

M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION PILD sBPT. ze, 1908.

943,918. Patend Dee. 21, 1909.

of the apparatus are controlled.

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MATTHEW T. ('JEAIHEIIAII', OF AURORA, ILLINOIS ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN WELL WORKS, OF, AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WELL-SINKING APPARATUS.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

. Application filed September 26,19%. Serial No. 336,269. a

To all whom it 'ma'y co'ncem:

BeA it known that I, MA'r'rHEW T. CHAP- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Aurora, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in VVell-Sinking Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Ivi y invention relates 'to well-sinking apparatus, and has for its object to provide certain iinprovements in apparatus for sinking wells which will be hereinafter fully described.v

Vhat I regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a view partly in section, illustrating the devices for supporting and gripping the well-tube, and certain other parts of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a perspective view, illustrating the combined air-compressor, pump and driving-apparatus; Fig. 2a is a detail, showing the construction of the worm and connected parts; F ig. 3 .is a detail of the clutch-mechanism which controls the operation of the hoisting-drum or shaft; and F igs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, front and sectional views of the clutch-mechanism by which the operation of the pumps and other parts My present invention has to do with wellsinking apparatus in which the well is sunk by means of a tube carrying at its lower end a suitable bit, or other means, for cutting or grinding its way through the earth or rocky matter encountered,.-said tube, which afterward forms the well-casing, being rotated by means of gripping-devices carried by a turntable. As in addition to rotating the well-tube it is frequently necessary to jump it, the grippmg-devices are so arran'ed as to permit of the jumpin of the wel -tube without interfering with its rotation, and also to permit' endwise movement of the well-tube independently'of the gripping-devices, so thatthe well-tube may decertain of the features above mentioned,

and niy present application, in part, is for certain improvements upon the constructions embodied in my said patent and said pending application. Other features hereinafter set forth are generic in character. I wish it to be understood, therefore, that the claims hereinafter made are generic in Character and are' to be construed broadly, except in so far as they particularly include specific features of. construction.

Referring to the drawings, 50 indicates the usual derrick, and 51 the derrick-fioor.

52 indicates the'well-tube.

Heretofore it has been the practice to provide separate and independent means for operating'the pumping, hoisting and rotating mechanisms, and where air has been employed, to provide a separate air-compressor,-thereby greatly complicating the work of Operating the machinery and increasing the expense accordingly. In my improved apparatus I greatly simplify the mechanism, and reduce the ex'pense of operating it, by providing means for Operating the pumping-deviccs and hoisting-mechanism, the turntable and the compressed-air supplying-mechanism from a single engine,-n1eanwhile preserving vindependent control of the different mechanisms so that they may be stopped and started independently, as may be desired. In F igs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, Iihave illustrated my improved apparatus, so far as these features are concerned.

As shown in Fi 2, 90 indicates an engine, of which 91 .is the cylinder. 92 indicates the pitman of the engine, which is connected with a crank-shaft 93 in the usual Way. 94 indicates the fly-wheel. 95 indicates an air-compressor cylinder, which is arranged in line with the engine-cylinder 91 and is connected with the iston thereof, so

that reciprocation of the plston in the cylin- I,

to the well (see Fig. 1).

compressor cylinder 95,-the air-compressing mechanism being thus operated directly by the engine 90. The air-compresser is provided with the usual valves a, which are made removable so that the air-compressing apparatus may be thrown out of operation by removing a valve at each end of the compressor. 96 indicates a compressed-air pipe, which communicates with the pipe 72 for supplying compressed air 97 indicates a Crank-shaft, mounted in suitable supports 98-99 arranged beside the Crank-shaft 93.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the crankshaft 97 projects a short distance beyond the support 99, where it registers with. a shaft 110 carried by the derrick 50,-said shaft being fitted in suitable bearings carried by beams 111 112, as shown in F ig. 2. The shafts 97 110 are adapted to rotate, either independently of one another or in unison, as d'esired; and to this end, suitable clutchmechanism is provided for' driving said shafts, either separately'or together, from the shaft 93. Said clutch-mechanism is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and consists of a clutch-wheel 100 having a hub 101 which fits loosely upon the adjacent ends of the shafts 97-110, as shown. The clutch-wheel 100 carries anexternal gear 102, which meshes with a pinion 103 mounted on the engine-shaft 93; so that said clutch-wheel 100 isvdriven constantly from the engine.

The pinion 103 is preferably provided With,

lateral fianges 104, to hold it in mesh with the gear 102, as shown in Fig. 4. For driving either or both the shafts 97 and 110 from the clutch-wheel 100, I provide suitable clutch-mechanism,'consisting of sleeves 105 106 mounted, respectively, on feathers on the inner ends of the shafts 97-110, so that 'said sleeves may move toward and from the clutch-wheel 100. 'Said sleeves 10:3 106 carry, respectively, clutch-blocks 107 108, which are movable toward and from the clutch-wheel 100,--being carried by levers 109 pivoted at vtheir outer ends to said clutch-blocks and at their inner ends toV the sleeves 10:3-106, respectively. The arrangement is such that when the clutch-blocks 107, for example, are out of engagement with the clutch-wheel 100, athe levers 109 connected to said blocks assume an inclined position. By moving the sleeve 105 toward the clutch-wheel, however, said levers are moved to a more nearly radial position, forcing the blocks 107 outward vinto frictional engagement with the inner surface of the clutch-wheeh--tlius looking the shaft 97 to said clutch-wheel and causing it hto be driven from the shaft 93 through the gearng above described. The shaft 110 is driven-in a similar manner. 1Vhen both clutches are in operative position, obviously, both shafts 97 and 110 will be driven; but

- either of said shafts alone may be driven by trol the operation of their respective shafts.

102*1 103'" 104'cl indicate pump-ing-cylinders, connected by piston-rods 10521.-l 106==1-=-107a with the Crank-shaft 97, so thatsaid pumping-devices are operated by the rotation of said shaft. a

114 indicates a sprocket-'wheehv keyed upon the shaft 110 and connected by a chain 115 with a sprocket-wheel116looselymounted on a shaft 117 carried in suitable standards 118 secured to the derrick-fioor, as shown in Fig. 2. The shaft 117 operates to drive the turntable, as will be hereinafter described.. The sprocket-wheel" 116 is connectd to, or disconnected from, the shaft 117, for controlling the operation of said shaft, by means of a clutch 118a operated by means of a lever 118D, shown in Fig. 2. The

`clutch 118a may be of any suitable pattern,

and the lever 118b be mounted in any suitable manner,-being preferably pivoted upon a suitable support 11Sc, as shown in Fig. 2.

119 indicates aw second sprocket-wheel,v

also keyed on the shaft 110 and connected by a chain 120 with a sprocket-wheel 121 mounted in a shaftV 122 which may be termed the hoisting-shaft or drum. Said hoisting-shaft 122 is mounted in suitable bearings in the beams 111 112, as shown in Fig. 2, and is arranged parallel with the shaft 110. The sprocket-wheel 121 is loosely mounted on said shaft and is adapted to be operatively connected thereto by means of clutch-members'123-124, best shown in F ig. A4. The clutch-member 123 is connected to the sprocket-wheel 121, while 4the clutch-member 124 is mounted on a feather on the shaft 122, so as to be movable into and out of engagement with the clutchmember 123. By means of the clutch-members 123 124 the rotation of the shaft 122 may be Controlled at pleasure. For adjusting the clutch-member 124 a lever 126 is provided, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.v

indicates a brake-Wheel, mounted on the shaft 122 and keyed thereto.

127 indicates a worm-wheel, mounted on the shaft 122 preferably near one end-thereof, as shown in Fig.v 2. The worm-wheel 127. is adapted to engage a 'worm 128 supported by a bracket 129, as shown in Fig.l

2,-said worm being movable in its bearings into or out of position to be engaged by the worm-wheel 127.

130 indicates a hand-Wheel, mounted on the outer end of the worm 128 for rotating said worm to rotate the worm-wheel 127 and through it the shaft 122. The arrangement is such that by moving the hand-wheel 130 inward as far as possible, the worm 128 may be brought into eiigagement with the worm-wheel 127 By rotating the 'hand-wheel 130 the shaft 122 inay be rotated slowly by hand independently of the driving-mechanism, which, of course, is at that time disconnected. This construction serves to hold the drum-shaft by a lever 182 iii the usual way. 133 indicates a head moiinted on the shaft 122,which serves as a guide for the hoisting-rope,- the brake-wheel 125 forming another head for the same purpose. By applying the brake 181 so as to liold the shaft 122 against rotation the worm 128 may bedisengaged from the worm wheel by rotating the hand wheel 180 in the proper direction. This is done when it is desired to lower the well-tube or other weight sustaiiied by the hoisting rope more rapidly than could be done withthe WOI'm.

' rack 135 on its under side near its periphery,

134 indicates the turntable, which carries the gripping-devices for gripping the welltube for rotating it. As shown in Fig. 2 the turntable is provided with an annular which is engaged by a pinion 136 mounted on the shaft 117, as shown 'in Fig. 2. The turntable may be of any suitable construction, but I prefer that shown and described in m pending application, Serial Number 18.93%, filed'January 19, 1904, of which this is a divisio'n.

The water in the well is employed to carry out the borings,-`the water, with the borings,` being pumped out by means of compressed air supplied through the air-tube 72.

While I have described specifically the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawiiigs, I wish it to be understood that my linvention is not restricted to such details. of

construction, except in so far as they are particularly claimed, but includes, generically, the subject-matter of the broader claims.

That which I claim as my invent-ion and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

1. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of an engine, means operated thereby adapted to engage and rotate the pipe, an air conipressor operated by saidenvine,

means for conducting compressed air rom said compressor to the Well-tube and independent means for controlling the operation of said pipe-rotating means. f

2. In a well-sinling app'aratus, the coinbination of an engine, means operated thereby adapted to engage and rotate the pipe, an air compressor opei'ated by said engine, means for conducting compressed air from said compressor to -tlie well-tube and indepcndent clutch iiiechanisin for 'controlling the operation of said pipe-rotating means.

3. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of an engine, pumping-mechanism operated thereby, means adapted to engage the pipe for i'otating the same, means for driving said rotating-mechanisni from said engine, means for independently controlling the operation of said rotating-inechanisin, an air-compressor, and means for Operating said air-compressor from said engine.

4. In a well-sinking appai'atus, the combination of means for engaging and rotatiiig the pipe, means for hoisting the pipe, an air-compressor for supplying compressed air to the pipe, pumping-mechanism for supplying water to the pipe, an engine for Operating said meclianisms, and means for controlling the operatioii of said rotatingmechanism independently of the other mechanisms.

5. In a well-sinking appai'atus, the combiiiation of means Afor engaging and rotating the pipe, means for hoisting the pipe, an air-compressor for supplying compressed air to| the pipe, pumping-mechanism for supplying water to the pipe, an engine for Operating said mechanisms, and nieans for controlling the operation of said hoistingmechanism independently of the other mechanisms.

6. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of means for engaging and rotating the pipe, means for hoisting the pipe, an air-compressor for supplying compressed air to the pipe, pumping-mechanism for supplying water to the pipe, an engine for operatiiig said mechanisins, and clutch-mechanism between said rotating and hoistingmechanisms and the engine.

7. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of an' engine, a shaft, means for driving said shaft from the engine, .pumpimg-mechanism operated from said shaft, a second shaft in line with said first-mentioned shaft, pipe-rotating mechanism and hoisting-mechanism, means for driving said pipe-rotating and hoisting-mechanisms from said second shaft, and clutch-mechanism between said first and second shafts.

8. In a well-sinking a paratus, the combinatioii of means adapte to engage and rotate the pipe, an aif-compressor, pumpingniechanism, an engine, means for Operating said pumping-mechanism and said pipe-rotating mechanism from said engine, and

iso

means for independently controlling the operation of said pipe-rotating mechanism.

9. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of means adapted to engage and rotate the pipe, an air-compressor, pumpingmechanism, an engine, means for Operating said pumping-mechanism and said pipe-rotating mechanism from said engine, and means,for independently controlling the operation of said pumping-mechanism.

10. In a 'Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of means adapted to engage and rotate the pipe, pumping-mechanism, a shaft for driving said ypipe-rotating mechanism,

a shaft for driving said pumping-mechan-- ism, clutch-mechanism adapted to engage either of said shafts for driving the same,

. an engine, and means for driving said clutchmechanism from the engine.

11. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of means for engaging and rotating the pipe, hoisting-mechanism for hoisting the pipe, pumping-mechanism, an engine for driving said rotating, hoisting and pumping mechanisms, said rotating, hoisting and pumping mechanisms being independently Controlled, and independent means for controlling the operation vof said mechanlsms.

12. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of means 'for engaging and rotating the pipe, hoisting-mechanism for hoi`sting the pipe, pumping-mechanism, air-com-V g pressing mechanism, an engine for driving p of an engine arranged to drive separately or collectively, a hoisting-drum 'for hoisting and lowering the Well-boring pipe, a piperotating apparatus for rotating the pipe, a pumping-engine for pumping- Water down through said pipe, and an air-compressor for supplying compressed air to the pipe.

14. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a Well-tube, means for supplying water to the Well, means for rotating the well-tube for sinking the Well, an air-compressor adj ustably connected with said rotating means, said air-compressor being adapted to supply compressed air to the Well for removing therefrom the borings With .the Water in the Well.

15. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a Well-tube, driving mechanism for rotating said Well-tube for sinking the Well, an air-compressor forsupplying compressed air to the well for removing the borings and Water therefrom, and means operated by said driving mechanism for operating said air-compressor.

MA'ITHEl/V T. CHAPMAN. lVitnesses:

` JOHN' L. JACKSON, '.M 1NN1E A. HUNTER. 

